Modern Combat Ships 4
TYPE 22

by Leo Marriott

BOOK'S DETAILS:

Modern Combat Ships 4
TYPE 22

by Leo Marriott

First published 1986 by Ian Allan Ltd., London

A black cloth bound book in FINE condition. Gloss paper pages illustrated throughout in black and white.
Dust wrapper is not clipped and is in NEAR FINE condition with only very slight sign of shelf wear.

The Type 22s are the largest frigates ever built for the Royal Navy, and the Batch III version is almost the same size as the 'County' class destroyers or a World War 2 light cruiser. They have proved to be exceptional anti-submarine warfare vessels and, as experience in the Falklands War showed, they can give a good account of themselves in other roles too. Moreover, the large hulls have been able to incorporate new weapons and equipment, a glaring contrast with the Type 42s which were built to much greater financial and political restraints. The Royal Navy is well satisfied with the Type 22s, even though it can consider itself fortunate that the construction programme has run to as many as 14 ships.

In Modern Combat Ships: 4 Type 22, Leo Marriott has produced a thorough appraisal of a class which by the1990s will have mounted a greater variety of weapons systems than any other modern RN warship. Certainly, the type will probably be best remembered for introducing the Sea Wolf surface-to-air missile in service, and the valuable work performed by Broadsword and Brilliant during the Falklands War. Nevertheless, the three Batches present interesting studies in warship design, with Batch 2 ships featuring a lengthened hull and Batch III units swapping Exocets for Harpoon missiles and mountain a 4.5in gun in addition.